Asylum Seekers: Lancashire

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many properties are currently provided by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) in (a) Blackburn; (b) Hyndburn; (c) Burnley; and (d) Pendle (Nelson); how many asylum seekers are being housed in each of these local authority areas; and whether there are any empty properties still under NASS contracts in these areas.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) does not directly provide accommodation. Instead, it has contracts with accommodation providers that supply accommodation for asylum seekers.. The new "Target Contracts" entered into earlier this year mean that the IND only pays for those asylum seekers who are actually accommodated and not for properties.
	The IND, through its accommodation contracts, currently has 157 properties in Blackburn with Darwen and five properties in Hyndburn. There are no asylum seekers being housed in either Burnley or Pendle.
	The number of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is published on a quarterly and annual basis, broken down by government office region and local authority. The next publication covering the third quarter of 2006 will be available on the 21 November 2006, on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. Data on asylum seekers supported by NASS broken down by parliamentary constituency are also available from the Library of the House.

Bankruptcy

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many bankruptcy restriction orders (BROs) have been made under the personal insolvency provisions introduced by the Enterprise Act in April 2004; what proportion of total bankruptcy cases over the same period BROs represent; and what proportion of BROs were projected by the Insolvency Service from the introduction of the Act to date.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: From 1 April 2004 to 30 September 2006, a total of 1,609 bankruptcy restrictions orders (or undertakings) have been made. This represents 1.3 per cent of all bankruptcy orders made over the same period (the total number of bankruptcy orders made in this period is 121,648).
	The Insolvency Service has not predicted the proportion of bankruptcy cases that BROs will represent but looks to obtain a BRO in all of those cases where the individual's conduct makes it appropriate to do so.
	The bankruptcy restriction order provisionsapply only to misconduct which takes place after1 April 2004.

Bankruptcy

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What additional resources, including staff, have been provided to the Insolvency Service to administer the bankruptcy restriction order regime since the introduction of the Enterprise Act 2002.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: From 1 April 2004 additional resources have been provided to the Insolvency Service by way of its enforcement programme, which includes the application of the bankruptcy restriction order (BRO) regime. Expenditure on BROs amounted to some £863,000 in 2004-05 and £5,990,000 in 2005-06. Insolvency Service staff carry out a range of duties and it would be disproportionately costly to seek to calculate the level of additional staff resource attributable to that expenditure.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To whom persons should write if the Home Office has issued to them a British citizenship certificate containing mistakes which they wish to have corrected, if they are (a) resident in the United Kingdom; and (b) resident outside the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: In the rare event that a citizenship certificate contains a mistake, it should be returned to
	Managed MigrationQuality and Correspondence TeamDepartment 2PO Box 306LIVERPOOLL2 OQN
	Those from people living overseas should be referred through the nearest consul general.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will update section 8 of the British citizenship application form B(OS) and part 8 of guide B(OS) to explain how an applicant who became a British Overseas citizen ipso jure under Article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 should complete the application form.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An update to the application form will not be necessary, since an applicant who became a British overseas citizen by virtue of Article 6(1) will be so effectively by birth. A note clarifying the information included in section 8 of guide B(OS) will be added during the next revision.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House any documents pertaining to the discussions between the United Kingdom and the Government of India referred to by the Indian Minister of External Affairs in the Lok Sabha on 25 July 1991, concerning the future of British passport holders of Indian origin in Hong Kong.

Lord Triesman: We have initiated a file search for documents on the issues to which the noble Lord refers. We will take a decision on what information might be placed in the Library of the House when that process is complete.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the representations received, and any other documents pertaining to those representations, from the former Governor of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Legislative Councillors concerning the future of the solely British ethnic minorities of Hong Kong, in the 18 months prior to 4 February 1997.

Lord Triesman: We have initiated a file search for documents on the issues to which the noble Lord refers. We will take a decision on what information might be placed in the Library of the House when that process is complete.

Cabinet Office: 67 Tufton Street

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Cabinet Office's lease of the property at 67 Tufton Street is on full repairing and insuring terms; what are the start and finish dates of the lease; whether the lease is subject to break clauses; what is the current rent payable; on what dates it is subject to review; whether the rent is reviewed to open market value or with fixed increases; and what deduction is made from the rent actually paid because the property is owned by a company registered offshore.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Cabinet Office lease of the property at 67 Tufton Street is on full repairing and insuring terms. The start date of the lease was 24 June 2001 and it expires on 3 February 2027. The lease is subject to break clauses. The rent payable is £869,268 per annum. The rent was subject to review on 24 June 2006 and will be reviewed every fifth anniversary thereof until June 24 2021. The rent is reviewed to open market value. No deduction is made from the rent actually paid because the property is owned by a company registered offshore.

Cluster Bombs

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their current policy on the use of cluster bombs.

Lord Drayson: Cluster munitions provide a unique capability for use against area or dispersed targets. They are permitted under International Humanitarian Law, and UK forces use them strictly in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Consultation: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, how many consultations the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland has arranged in each year since 1999; what those consultations were; and what groups they consulted; and
	Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, whether the groups consulted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland responded to any consultation; to what extent and in what form they addressed equality of opportunity issues; and whether any suggestions were made leading to a change in proposed policies.

Lord Rooker: Equality-related consultations arising from Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 did not begin to take place in departments until after equality schemes approved by the Equality Commission were in place, around mid 2001. Between 2001 and 2006 in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland there were eight equality-related consultations undertaken. Further details can be found in the department's statutory five-year review of its equality scheme which is publicly available on its website at www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-strategies-reports-and-accounts/five-year-review-of-equality-scheme.htm.
	For each consultation DARD consults with groups and individuals who have requested that they be included on its Section 75 consultation list (a copy is attached at Annexe B), which was established as part of its equality scheme for these purposes. This list is updated on request during the year. Backdated lists are not kept.
	The noble Lord may wish to be aware that in addition to equality-related consultations, the department consults with key stakeholders as part of good policy-making practices generally, and because one must consult on legislation, even where no adverse equality impacts have been identified.
	With regard to the noble Lord's second Question, the information requested is not readily available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, for every equality-related consultation issued, policy makers record to whom consultations were issued, who responded and what was said. At least a summary of consultation responses received is published (usually on the department's website). All of this information is or has been publicly available.
	It is difficult to identify specific changes that have occurred to a policy as a result of consultation alone. This is because, when equality is mainstreamed effectively into decision-making throughout the policy development cycle—through, for example, having advisory fora, pre-consultation or informal consultation—there will be no negative equality impacts evident.
	
		
			 DARD List of Section 75 Consultees 
			 Age Concern (NI) NI Commissioner for Children & Young People 
			 Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute NI Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM) 
			 Association of NI Colleges NI Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) 
			 Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland NI Fishery Harbour Authority 
			 Barnardos NI Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) 
			 British Deaf Association (NI) NI Islamic Centre 
			 Carafriend NI Women's European Platform (NIWEP) 
			 Carers Northern Ireland NIAPA 
			 Child Poverty Action Group (NI) NIPSA 
			 Children's Law Centre North West Community Network 
			 Citizens Advice Bureau North West Forum of People with Disabilities 
			 Coalition on Sexual Orientation (CoSO) Northern Ireland Committee, ICTU 
			 Comm Devel & Health Network (NI) Northern Ireland Office 
			 Comm on the Admin of Justice (CAJ) NSPCC 
			 Community Relations Council (CRC) Omagh Women's Area Network 
			 Disability Action Parents & Professionals & Autism (PAPA) 
			 Down's Syndrome Association Pig Production Development Committee 
			 Drainage Council for NI Pobal 
			 Employers' Forum on Disability Rare Breeds Survival Trust 
			 Equality Commission for NI Royal National Inst for the Deaf (NI) 
			 Equality Forum NI Rural Community Network 
			 Falls Community Council Rural Development Council 
			 Family Planning Assoc NI Rural Support 
			 Fermanagh Women's Network Sense NI 
			 Foyle, Carlingford & Irish Lights The Community Foundation for NI 
			 Gay Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association 
			 General Consumer Council The Methodist Church in Ireland 
			 Gingerbread Northern Ireland The Rainbow Project 
			 GMB The Senior Citizens' Consortium 
			 Help the Aged, NI The Ulster People College 
			 Livestock & Meat Commission for NI The Women's Centre 
			 Magherafelt Women's Group Ulster Farmers' Union 
			 MENCAP Waterways Ireland 
			 Multi-Cultural Resource Centre West Belfast Economic Forum 
			 National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland NUS-USI Women's Information Group 
			 Newry & Mourne Senior Citizens Consortium Women's Resource & Dev Agency (WRDA) 
			 Newry and Mourne Women Ltd NI Commissioner for Children & Young People 
			 NI Anti-Poverty Network NI Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM)

Custody Plus

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 4 May (HL Deb, col. 566), what impact the lack of government funding for custody plus has had on the introduction of the National Offender Management Service offender management model.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government's decision to defer custody plus reflects the prioritisation of prison and probation resources towards more serious offenders. Revised arrangements for the implementation of offender management for those sentenced to custodial sentences of less than 12 months have yet to be decided.

Data Protection

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the Information Commissioner's report What Price Privacy? about abuse of privacy through the procurement and sale of personal information, what they are doing to ensure compliance with Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 by private investigators, journalists and others.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Information Commissioner enforces the Data Protection Act 1998 and can bring prosecutions under Section 55 of the Act. In the year to April 2006, the commissioner's office (ICO) prosecuted 16 cases involving offences under the Data Protection Act 1998, 15 successfully, with sentences including fines ranging from £100 to £5,000 and a conditional discharge.
	The ICO's What Price Privacy? report included recommendations addressed to specific bodies, such as those representing journalists and private investigators, to try and stifle the demand for illegally obtained confidential personal information. A follow-up report to What Price Privacy?, detailing the progress made by the bodies towards the recommendations in the report, is currently being produced by the ICO and will be published by the end of the year.
	The Government have been concerned about the apparent increase in the trade in personal data, as highlighted in What Price Privacy?. On 24 July 2006, the Department for Constitutional Affairs published a consultation paper on Increasing penalties for deliberate and wilful misuse of personal data, which seeks views on the introduction of custodial sentences for Section 55 offences. The consultation will close on 30 October.

Family Breakdown

Lord Skelmersdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many family breakdowns there were in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available.

Lord Adonis: The Government do not collect statistics on numbers of family breakdowns. Outside divorce, relationship breakdowns are difficult to define and record. It is estimated that each year between 150,000 and 200,000 couples with children separate. This is made up of 100,000 divorces, and between 50,000 and 100,000 cohabiting relationships breaking down.

Fire Services: FiReControl

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide a full business case for establishing regional control centres to answer emergency calls to fire brigades; and what are the costs implicit in the FiReControl project.

Baroness Andrews: A draft of the FiReControl full business case will be published shortly. On publication a copy will be placed in the House Library along with FRS Circular 63/2005 which sets out implementation funding for the project and details which costs will be met by central government.

Fire Services: FiReControl

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will undertake an analysis of control room functions before progressing further with the FiReControl project.

Baroness Andrews: The provision of control room services has already been extensively reviewed. Since the 1980s, independent reports have consistently recommended a consolidation of control rooms. These reviews include two reports by Mott MacDonald. Its 2000 report recommended a consultation of control rooms. The 2003 report, following the September 11 attack, found that the need for resilience made a powerful case for a national network of regional controls, which was also optimum in terms of efficiency.
	In December 2003, extensive consultation was held in whether to proceed with the project and the project was formally launched in March 2004. The direction of the project is reviewed as it progresses, but the Government do not consider that a further fundamental analysis of control room activities is necessary at this time.

Free Trade

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they aim to have Northern Ireland designated as a free trade area; and, if so, what action they propose to take to obtain this accreditation.

Lord Rooker: Northern Ireland, by virtue of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union, is already part of the "free trade area"; that is to say, an area where there are no significant barriers, tariffs or levies affecting trade between the members of the area.

Government Departments: Financial Reporting

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department of Health has any arrangements to enable staff of that department to raise, in confidence, concerns about matters of financial reporting, disclosure of other information or value-for-money; and, if so, whether they will give details of the arrangements.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health has a whistleblowing policy which was introduced in line with best practice advised by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. It enables staff to raise concerns about any malpractice or illegal act.
	The policy covers concerns about financial impropriety, including poor value for money. There are a variety of possible routes for raising concerns:
	line management should be the first post of call for many concerns unless there is good reason not to involve them—that is, the issue affects them;procurement matters, contact procurement;fraud and corruption in DH and arm's length bodies: contact dcfs@doh.gsi.gov.uk; and nominated officer: contact human resources for a list of nominated officers.
	Internal audit reports on the quality of risk management, governance and controls across the whole organisation.
	Help lines (or by email) operated by the Financial Services Authority can advise employees on reporting the matter to the Civil Service Commissioners if they are not satisfied with the response received from the department.

Immigration: Removal Centres

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any of the privately run asylum seeker removal centres have been fined as a consequence of acts of self-harm and suicides affecting detainees in their custody.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An act of self harm which results in the death of a detainee and which involves any failure by an immigration centre contractor to follow laid-down procedures results in a financial deduction from the contractor's operating fee.
	We do not hold any contractor records prior to 2000; there is no record since that date of any financial deductions being applied to any contractor operating an immigration removal centre for failure to follow laid-down procedures for self harm resulting in death.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the members of the quartet concerning an emergency conference on the Israel and Palestine peace process.

Lord Triesman: Quartet principals (EU, US, UN and Russia) last met in New York on 20 September to discuss developments in the Middle East. In the meeting, the quartet reaffirmed its commitment to the road map as the means to realise the goal of two democratic states—Israel and Palestine—living side by side in peace and security. The quartet also agreed to meet on a regular basis in the coming period at both the principals and envoys level, including with the parties and other regional partners to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead. The quartet will next meet on 24 and 25 October in London.

NHS: Lucentis

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to be able to announce whether and when Lucentis will be available for the treatment of National Health Service patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Lord Warner: This product is under assessment by the European Medicines Agency and is currently not approved for marketing in the European Union. The availability of a product for marketing in the United Kingdom will be dependent on approval of a marketing authorisation.

North Korea: Sanctions

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of the calls from the United Nations Security Council for the imposition of sanctions on North Korea, what are known to be the quantities of aid, oil and other key commodities imported by North Korea over the past 12 months; and from which countries these imports originated.

Lord Triesman: Although exact figures are not available, we do know that China and South Korea are North Korea's first and second largest trading partners respectively, providing over half of North Korea's imports, including virtually all of its fuel and around one-sixth of its food. North Korea imports all of its oil, mostly from China. In recent years, South Korea has provided 500,000 tonnes of rice and up to 350,000 tonnes of fertiliser, but suspended its regular humanitarian assistance in response to the July missile tests.
	As a further measure in response to the 9 October nuclear test, Seoul has halted food-related assistance, which so far has included a further 90,000 tonnes of rice. The only significant external providers of food assistance now are the World Food Programme and China, which has in the past provided about the same amount as South Korea, although China also supplies grains to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on commercial terms. So far this year, Chinese food deliveries appear to be down to about 30 per cent of 2005 levels.

Pensions

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Financial Services Authority requires independent financial advisers to carry out research into the religious background of their clients before advising them on alternatively secured pensions; and, if so, what is the statutory basis for this requirement.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: As an independent regulator, the FSA is responsible for its own guidance to regulated firms. Their guidance on ASPs is available at www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Doing/small_firms/advisers/FAQ/withdrawal.shtml.

People Trafficking

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish an action plan to deal with trafficking of adults and children.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We intend to publish the UK action plan on tackling human trafficking by the end of 2006. The action plan will address the trafficking of adults and children and follows on from a public consultation on this issue conducted earlier this year.

Prisons: Chief Inspector

Lord Ramsbotham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether serving officials in the Crown Prosecution Service, courts administration, police forces, Prison Service and Probation Service will be allowed to apply for the post of Chief Inspector of Justice, Community Safety and Custody.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Yes. The appointment process for the new Chief Inspector for Justice, Community Safety and Custody will be a fair and open competition conducted within the guidelines laid down by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).

Public Bodies: Salaries

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the salaries of heads of quangos, such as the Construction Industry Training Board, the UK Film Council, the Learning and Skills Council and Partnerships for Schools.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Information on public bodies sponsored by central government, as at31 March each year, including the salaries of the heads of public bodies, is provided annually in the Cabinet Office publication Public Bodies. Copies of this are available in the Library for the reference of noble Lords.
	The chief executive of a non-departmental public body will normally be employed by the board and his/her remuneration will be determined by the board in conjunction with the sponsoring department in the light of the nature, scope, size and profile of the body and of the skills and expertise needed for the post.

Railways: Leeds to Manchester

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the proposal from the Northern Way project, made on 2 October, for a new high-speed rail route between Leeds and Manchester.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government made a manifesto commitment to look at the feasibility and affordability of a new north-south high-speed link. The Government have committed to take this forward in the development of a long-term strategy for the railways, drawing on Sir Rod Eddington's advice on the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth. In so doing, the department will draw on a range of evidence and commissioned work. We welcome analysis by the Northern Way, or other organisations, on a high-speed link. It is too early to discuss the potential route or stopping patterns for such a proposition.

Schools: Councils

Lord Dearing: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What preliminary conclusions they have formed of the impact of the statutory requirement that all schools in Wales set up a properly constituted schools council.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: This is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.
	I understand that the regulations implementing this requirement came into force in 2005, and that the deadline by which schools in Wales will be requiredto hold the first meeting of their school council is1 November 2006. It is therefore too soon for the Welsh Assembly Government to assess their impact.

Schools: Face Covering

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether guidance has been issued on the permissibility of pupils in state schools covering their faces; and, if so, what are the circumstances in which it may be allowed.

Lord Adonis: The department has not issued specific guidance on pupils covering their faces in state schools. School governing bodies are responsible for deciding whether their school should have a uniform policy, and if so, what it should consist of. The department issues general guidance to schools, reminding governing bodies of their responsibilities under health and safety, sex and race discrimination legislation, and the Human Rights Act. The guidance also states that schools should be sensitive to pupils' cultural and religious needs and differences, and consult widely before introducing or changing a school uniform policy.

Shipping: Cruise Liner Crews

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 10 October (WA 141) on cruise liner crews, whether they intend to have discussions concerning the welfare of such below-decks crews; and, if so, with whom they will discuss this matter.

Lord Davies of Oldham: No specific discussions are planned, although the Government have regular contacts with a range of shipping interests including those representing seafarers and welfare bodies.

Thameslink

Baroness Valentine: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they received the inspector's report on the Thameslink 2000 public inquiry; and when they expect to announce a decision.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I refer the noble Baroness to the Written Statement that I have made today about the Thameslink 2000 decisions. The inspector's report was received on 21 February 2006.

Traffic Management Act 2004

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received any submissions from any local authority which is concerned that it may be unfairly subject to intervention under the terms of the Traffic Management Act 2004 due to the implementation of the intervention criteria regulations prior to the other sections of wave 1 of the Act.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Department for Transport has not received a submission from any local authority which is concerned that it may be subject to intervention prior to other sections ofwave 1 of the Act being implemented.

Traffic Management Act 2004

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assurances they can give that a local authority will not be unfairly subject to intervention due to the implementation of the intervention criteria regulations under the Traffic Management Act 2004 prior to implementation of other sections of wave 1 of the Act that would give local authorities powers to avoid such intervention.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I can assure authorities that we shall be mindful of those sections of the Traffic Management Act that are not yet in force when considering how a local authority has performed its network management duties.

Young Offender Institutions: Stoke Heath

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the young offenders involved in the incident at H M Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution on 2 October were under 18; whether any of the 12 young prisoners reported to be transferred to other institutions were under 18; and, if so, to which institutions they were transferred.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: All of the offenders involved in the disturbance on A wing were juveniles, and all those transferred were under 18. During the early morning of 2 October, 12 juveniles were transferred out—six to Brinsford and six to Hindley. Later in the same day a further 53 trainees were transferred to Lancaster Farms (12), Werrington (12), Castington (11), Ashfield (6) Warren Hill (6), Parc (4) and Wetherby (2).

Young Offender Institutions: Stoke Heath

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the estimated value of the damage caused in the incident at H M Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution on 2 October.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The estimated cost of the damage is £189,000.

Young Offender Institutions: Stoke Heath

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the preliminary investigations suggest was the cause of the disturbance at H M Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution on 2 October.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Early indications from the investigation into the disturbance suggest that the increase in population has resulted in the wider dispersal of juveniles from their home area which may have contributed to an increased level of instability. The final report has now been received and will inform a wider review of factors impacting on stability in the juvenile population. Any measures which can be taken to improve stability will be closely examined.